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December 31, 2008

I really can't believe it is New Years eve and that tomorrow I am going to have to start writing 2009 instead of 2008 - goodness, that will take me weeks, maybe months to get used to. The transition into a new year is always a little difficult for me. I both love and hate the self reflection that the new year brings. Sometimes thinking over the past year makes me a little sad and depressed - even when I try to focus on the positive, I know deep down there were things I didn't accomplish and goals I didn't achieve. This happens around my birthday too. I guess it is just part of being a thinker and a feeler.

I constantly have to work at pulling myself out of this way of thinking. Lists help with this. I am constantly writing lists - to do lists, accomplishment lists, wishes, dreams etc. I find listing even the smallest of accomplishments can help pull me out and up because I can see the small things add up right in front of my eyes. This year with as hard as it has been, my accomplishment list is pretty long. Many of the negatives have pushed me to make positives and have shown me that I am so much stronger than I imagined.

As I look at my list (it is still in process and I may share more later as I decide on my resolutions) I can't help but notice a couple themes, one of which many of you really seemed to respond to and relate to - using creativity and simplicity to frugally, yet fabulously create a positive life experience.I shared this with you over the holidays when I on budget and while trying to use what I had on hand tried my best to create a holiday full of love and tradition for my family and friends. It was officially only a few short weeks and with a few small projects, but as I look back on the year I saw it as a recurring theme in my life. A theme that I think we might all need for 2009 - getting back to simplicity, using what we have, spending smartly, honoring tradition, sharing gratitude, creating joy and spurring growth.

So, I have decided that for me, 2009 is going to be the year of Frugal Yet Fabulous Everyday! Anyone care to join me?

Single badge in the side-bar if you would like to use one. More on my resolutions to come soon. Happy New Year everyone!!

December 30, 2008

Those of you who have been visiting for a while probably know this, but for you newer folks, I have to admit that I suffer from a bit of Crafty OCD. See any time I am introduced to a new craft or have a new project idea I go into overdrive. I research, shop and organize as much as I can, as quick as I can. Problem is, I don't always get to the crafting part. And when I do, I often start, but don't finish. I know, sad but true. Lots of unfinished craft projects around my house.

So, I have had Crafty OCD for two things this past week: fleece and stamp/scrapbook supplies. Lets start with the fleece. For some reason, the day after Christmas when looking at my Hancock's ad, I decided what next years presents are going to be and the main ingredient is fleece. And guess what, Hancock's was having a huge fleece sale! So, I went on my lunch hour last Friday. It was a long lunch and I ended up with tons of soft and pretty fleece (the pictures don't do the colors justice) for not much cash at all. And best part, pretty much every single family gift will be made out of this fleece. So for a little investment right now, I will be about to produce some seriously Frugal Yet Fabulous Holiday gifts for next year... and I WILL NOT wait till next December to make them!!!

My second obsession is stamps and scrap booking. I haven't been much into these crafts and only have a few supplies. Many of my Frugal Yet Fabulous Holidays craft projects involved paper this year, which I think helped me catch the bug. Then, I received a wonderful wooden box correspondence kit from a friend for Christmas that was filled with cards, paper and some clear block stamps. This gift helped the bug take over. I have had to keep myself from buying more supplies. It has been really hard. I did however buy some containers to organize the small set of supplies I already have. Yeah for Christmas clearance. The containers snap together. It is actually two sets that I attached to each other (storing the extra lid with handle for later). This set up allows me to store my supplies and transport them easily too.

Better believe I am going to be watching the sales ads for stamps and paper sales over the coming months... I just can't help it, but at least I wont be buying full price and I'll have more crafts to share with you :)

December 23, 2008

My family Christmas celebration was on Sunday afternoon. I rushed around on Saturday baking and sewing and wrapping... then on Sunday baking again. Our little celebration was nice and I have to admit it went much better than I expected. We always have some sort of drama or turmoil, but not this year unless you count a five month old weimaraner puppy punching me in face. She didn't mean to and no bruises, so all is good.

There weren't a lot of outrageous, off the mark gifts this year. This was a big surprise. My sisters actually liked the hand made gifts I gave them. I had made many versions and instead of choosing one for each of them and wrapping them up, I let them choose their favorite. This saved me a lot of wrapping and helped them feel more involved. It was great.

I have to say, I got one of the best Christmas gifts ever. It wasn't what I initial thought when my sister said "here is your garage sale find" as she handed it over. I proceeded to open a big brown box with caution and was surprised to find layer, upon layer of vintage notions pilled in the box. She had been collecting them all year long as she thrifted and garage-saled. For a baby sister who often feels really misunderstood, who worries if her sisters really get (or like) her hand made gifts, this present knocked my socks off. Not just because I LOVE everything in the box, but because it means my sister was thinking about me all year long. Totally priceless.

Here are a few pictures of the goodies. I will have to take some better, close up photos. Some of the packaging is so cool and old. I am not sure I will be able to bring myself to use most of this. Maybe I will need to make some collages or shadowboxes for my craft area to display some of the best things.

Now I am feeling oddly guilty for the rush being over, for just needing to pack and drive to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas with my Pops. It is definitely different this year, but we will be okay. I am looking forward to cooking for him, to sitting on the sofa under a quilt and reading or knitting. I am looking forward to calm. I will miss all of Mom and her piles of wrapped up presents, but I will cherish the time with Pops, taking care of him and hoping he feels better real soon.

December 22, 2008

Finally catching up with my holiday to do list. Frugal Yet Fabulous recipe cards are finally in the mail to all the commentors on my recipe card giveaway post. Congrats to Tracy, Annette, Susan, Sarah and Kelli. I am so happy with how they came out - hope you all like them! I had some extras made for a few friends and some for myself too.

And of course, I had to do a little fun packaging too. Goodness, my holiday scrapbook paper is getting a good work out!

Sorry for the iffy photos. Winter lighting (read: lack of sun) makes it hard to take good pictures... especially when your camera isn't working quite right. Resolution for the new year: working camera and a well lit photo area.

December 20, 2008

Last year when I was inspired to make paper clip ice skate ornaments like my Gram did way back when, I forgot to make some for myself. I probably made at least 15 pair to give to family and friends, but didn't save any for myself. Oops!

This year is different. I sat down last night to make myself a pair... to place right by Gram's pair on the tree. I decided to mix it up and use red felt and clear, iridescent beads and sequins. I think I really like how they turned out.

I also wanted to thank all the visitors that have found my site because of these cute little skates. So many sites have posted links to the tutorial. Wow, I think Gram would be proud.

December 19, 2008

Ok, so I know gift cards are kind of cop out gift, but I had to do it. Teenage boys are really hard to buy for or, even worse, make something for. And honestly, time is running out, so two of my nieces are getting gift cards too.

I felt a little guilty. To help make up for it, I decided to personalize the packaging of the gift cards to make them seem a bit more special. Out came the same printed holiday scrapbook paper I used on my paper clip magnets, card stock scaps, glue and stamps. With a little cut and pasting, I came up with these cards. They have little pockets for the gift cards to fit into and are stamped with love by me.

I got a lot of comments on the fabric I photographed for my super secret holiday crafting post yesterday. They are all kitchen dish towels I have collected. Some are Martha from Kmart, some are kitchen essentials from Kmart, some are Dwell from Target and others are just ones I have picked up at places like HomeGoods and Tuesday Morning throughout the year. Dish towels make great, sturdy fabric for craft projects. I just wish Martha still had a good selection. Maybe it is just my Kmart – it is sort of a run down, city store. I recently had to resort to searching eBay for a set of her fruit towels so I could finish up a project. Luckily I found them!

I even hear there is a book coming out next year filled with projects ideas on how to upcycle tea towels... Hmmm, maybe that is why I can’t share my finished super secret holiday projects for a while?

December 18, 2008

Yesterday I took the afternoon off! Actually, the company I work for gave us an afternoon off of our pick before the holiday to finish up our shopping. Pretty nice perk. Since I am deep in the midst of my Frugal Yet Fabulous Holidays, I turned the shopping into sewing... well after I took a nap first.

It was an assembly line. I had cut out all the fabric ahead of time, so all I needed to do was sew and assemble. I got a lot done - much of the sewing is complete and all the items pinned, awaiting only one more line of stitching and a button.

Sorry, can't show you much more pictures or the finished project. The pattern is super secret. I will share more when I can. Promise.

Tonight, I hope to either finish these pieces up or spend a little time stitching my favorite ice skate ornaments. This time in red felt.

December 17, 2008

Last night I had a little extra time so I decided to work on a quick craft project: clothespin magnets. I have had all the supplies for a while (glue, scrapbook paper, clothespins, magnets) but hadn't had the time or motivation to knock the project out. Maybe it was the fact that I got the cutest of cards in the mail - the one with the two puppies on it - and I just needed a good way to display it. About 30 minutes later (while watching the Biggest Loser Finale - Yeah Michelle - I am so a black team, Jillian girl) I had the makings of a Merry Christmas card display for my fridge.

It is funny how I often put things off thinking they are going to take too
much time or be to hard or... and they turn out quick and easy. This project was definitely quick and easy!

I can't wait to fill it up with even more cards!

For a Frugal Yet Fabulous spin, even if I hadn't had the supplies on hand, the project may have cost around $4 to complete. Less than $1 for magnets, about $1.50 for clothespins (and I have a ton left to use on other projects) and $1 for paper. Wrapping paper scraps would work great for these too.

December 16, 2008

Ever since Dawn and I went to Chicago for the Renegade Craft Fair I have wanted my very own wellies. It rained all weekend and all the Chicagoans were sporting their wellies and I envied them as my jeans were wet almost up to my knees. Dawn purchased her wellies quite soon after we got back. I decided to wait and buy myself some for Christmas. I wish I hadn’t waited so long because I really could use them right now to help me navigate dryly through all the sleet, snow, slush that is happening in St. Louis. Good news is they should be delivered tomorrow... Of course, depending on all that sleet, snow and slush.

I did pull a little frugal yet fabulous magic with my wellies purchase. I had been shopping around for a while. Once I found the style I wanted I started searching the web for the best price. Then once I had narrowed down the best prices, I searched for coupon codes for the sites. Lucky me, I found a Shoe Buy coupon code for $20 off a purchase of $50 or more if you pay through Paypal. Plus, Shoe Buy wasn’t charging tax or shipping charges (even for returns). So score, new wellies for $39.95. Merry Christmas to me!!

December 12, 2008

Wanting to spread a little holiday cheer, I came up with a little recipe card design.

Post a comment about your favorite frugal yet fabulous holiday recipe by Tuesday, December 16th at 12 p.m. CST and I will draw four names to receive printed sets of your very own. Please be sure to include the name you would like the cards personalized with (it doesn’t have to be your own) and provide a way for me to get in touch with you.